THE CARANDINI CONCERTS.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 238, 6 May 1868, Page 2

THE CARANDINI CONCERTS.

Last evening we had the pleasure of renewing our acousintanee with Madame Carandini, her two talented daughters, and Mr Walter Sherwin, at the Apollo Music Hall. It is over half a ecore of years since we first listened to Madame and Mr Sherwin, who in conjunction with Mons. LaCoulon, Farquharson, Octavia Hamilton, Mrs Hancock, and others, under the conductorship of poor Lavenu, used to draw crowded houses to the Princess's Theatre, in Melbourne, and where Madame charmed all by her exquisite singing of Lavenu'9 beautiful composition " Molly Asthore." Many changes have passed since then —Lavenu has gone to that " bourne from whence no traveller returns," whilst the others are scattered far and wide, with the exception of Madame Carandini and Mr Sherwin, who still remain iu the colonies, and with the exception of the unfortunate accident to Mr Sherwin, they still seem to be the same. Although able to draw elsewhere, we are sorry to say that they are unable to shake the inhabitants of "Westport out of their usual apathetic state, for the concert wag very poorly attended, though those that stayed away lost one of the greatest treats they are likely to have for some time.

The performance commenced -with the grand duett from " Lucia de Lammermoor," which was nicely sung by Madame Carandini and Mr Sherwin. Then followed a beautiful ballad by Linley, called " The Emigrant's Child," which was splendidly given by Miss Rosina Carandini. This young lady has a splendid soprano voice, with considerable expression, and is, no doubt, one of the best ballad singers of the day. The manner in which she gave this song seemed to surprise her audience, who enthusiastically encored her, in response to which she sang " Her bright smile haunts ma still." Mr Walter Sherwin, who was greeted with applause, sang " The Basque Muleteer," but he seemed to lack the fire that used to distinguish him, and the consequence was it fell rather flat on his audience. Miss Fanny Carandini, who possesses a very nice contralto voice—rather a rare quality in these days—sang Bellini's " Dream of Joy" with marked success, and was enthusiastically encored, to which she responded by singing " Tho Lady of the Lea." Madame Carandini sang a ballad by Linley, called "Estelle," which wo think, though very pretty, is not suited to hor. We

must not forgettomentionthat both the Misses Carandini are very good pianoforte players, and tho manner in which they played the pieces put down for them in the programme fully established their reputation as musicians. Undoubtedly the gems of tho evening were the grand duett from *' Norma," which was magnificently given by Madame and Miss Eosina Carandini, an Irish song, " Nbrah Mullaue," by Miss E. Carandini, which was given with archness and grace, and received an encore, in response to which she sang Linley's pretty ballad, *' I cannot mind my wheel, mother," in a style we have never heard surpassed ; and " The Last Eose ot Summer," by Madame Carandini. In conclusion, we hope the concert this (Wednesday) evening will be better attended, as the artistes certainly deserve better support than they have received, and they are about the best ■company that have hitherto visited "Westport.